Method of making sculpture

ABSTRACT

A method of making sculpture which includes the use of relatively thin portions of natural stone such as alabaster, soapstone, and marble to utilize the transparent and translucent qualities of such stone. The method includes the steps of cutting the stone to overall desired configuration, and mechanically thinning desired portions to thickness varying from one-eighth to one-sixteenth of an inch in selected areas to present the desired degree of transparency or translucency.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Reference is made to my copending provisional application, SerialNo.: 60/361,912, filed Mar. 5, 2002, to which a claim of priority ismade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of sculpture, andmore particularly to an improved method for creating the same wherebycertain parts or portions are rendered transparent, or at leasttranslucent to create a unique appearance to the viewer.

[0003] Most sculptures are large, dense, and monochromatic, whether theyare of stone, bronze, or wood. It is known in the art to add certaincoloring to the sculpture by way of opaque mediums which essentiallycover the exposed surface of the material.

[0004] Most natural stones are sufficiently dense in composition as tobe essentially opaque, and are not particularly mechanically strong whencut or abraded to relatively thin section. It is commonly appreciatedthat certain types of natural stone, such as alabaster, soapstone andmarble, are substantially less dense in physical structure, such thatwhen sufficiently thin, they are capable of transmitting visible light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of animproved method for creating sculpture utilizing the above qualities ofcertain natural stone by reducing the thickness of pre-selected portionsthe sculpture to form areas sufficiently thin to permit the passage oflight rays therethrough. If desired, these portions may be colored usingwater colors or other translucent coloring medium. If the sculpture isilluminated from below or behind the stone, it will glow, to furtherenhance the natural grain present in the stone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006] In the drawing, to which reference will be made in thespecification:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical structure made in accordance with theuse of the disclosed method. The disclosed sculpture, generallyindicated by reference character 10, may comprise a supporting base, afirst planar member 12, and a second planar member 13, the members 12and 13 being interconnected by a suitable adhesive (not shown).

[0009] The first member 11 may be of oval or circular planarconfiguration, bounded by a periphery 20, a forward surface 21, and acorresponding rearward surface (not shown). A colored medium 23 may beapplied to selected areas using water colors or other suitabletransparent or translucent mediums.

[0010] The second member 13 may be a representation of a cloudsuperimposed upon a representation of a sun or moon provided by thefirst member, and may be of an suitable composite material, typicallycopper ore which has been mixed with an epoxy adhesive and flattened todesired configuration. In the alternative, a second piece of transparentor translucent stone (not shown) may also be used.

[0011] The above-mentioned stones are usually commercially available inthicknesses ranging down to one-half inch. To form the first member, itis first cut to desired outline, and depending upon the density of thematerial, it is manually or mechanically abraded to a thickness whichwill provide the desired degree of translucence or transparency, thisthickness normally being in the range of one-eighth to one-sixteenth ofan inch.

[0012] The second member, as has been mentioned, may be formed fromsolid or particulate material and integrated using an epoxy adhesive,and after pressing and shaping to desired configuration, it is appliedto the desired position upon the exposed surface of the first member.

[0013] In the disclosed embodiment, the transparency and/or translucencyof the first member will be apparent to a viewer when displayed inambient light. This effect may be enhanced by providing supplementaryillumination placed behind or below the structure, or the positioning ofthe embodiment within a shadow box or similar enclosure.

[0014] Other variations are possible within the scope of the invention.For example, only selected portions of the stone material are thinned tothe degree necessary to allow transparency or translucency, leaving theremaining portions relatively opaque. Combined members of the sculpturemay comprise both opaque and transparent parts, depending upon theexpression desired.

[0015] I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the inventionto be limited to the details of structure shown and disclosed, forobvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to whichthe invention pertains.

I claim:
 1. The method of creating transparent and translucent sculpturecomprising the steps of: a) providing at least a generally planar memberof naturel stone selected from the group consisting of alabaster,sandstone, and marble; and b) mechanically abrading at least one area ofsaid planar member to a thickness which will allow the passage of lighttherethrough.
 2. The method in accordance with claim 1, in which thedegree of abrasion is sufficient to allow transparency in the abradedarea.
 3. The method in accordance with claim 1, including the furtherstep of assembling said at least one planar member with a second memberto form a composite sculpture.
 4. A stone sculpture comprising at leastone planar member selected from the group consisting of alabaster,soapstone, and marble, said member being mechanically abraded over aselected area sufficient to allow passage of light therethrough.